A recent research paper has uncovered a connection between certain Covid-19 infections and the onset of prion disease, a form of rapidly progressive dementia.
This information was reported by The Independent, citing findings from the American Journal of Case Reports. The study delves into the case of a 62-year-old man admitted to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital Center in New York, exhibiting mobility issues and signs of rapidly progressive dementia, reports Al-Rai daily.
The research, as discussed on Al Arabiya.net, indicates that the patient’s neurological function worsened after testing positive for Covid-19 upon hospital admission. Ultimately, he received a diagnosis of prion disease, prompting inquiries into whether Covid-19 might be a factor in its development. Scientists posit that this case raises the possibility of a “potential link” between Covid-19 and neurodegenerative conditions.
Johns Hopkins Medicine outlines various types of prion disease, an exceptionally rare category, with approximately 300 cases reported annually in the United States. The most prevalent type in humans is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Prion diseases manifest when the regular prion protein on cell surfaces transforms into an abnormal state, eventually aggregating in the brain and causing damage, resulting in personality changes, memory issues, and movement difficulties. These diseases are fatal.
Certain individuals may be more susceptible to prion disease, including those with a family history of the condition or those exposed through contaminated medical equipment. Proper and thorough cleaning of medical equipment is known to be effective in preventing prion disease.